Each class typically has three doggy models of different breeds to give participants a variety of muses. On the night I attend we have Skye, the Cairn Terrier, Bamford, the Leon Berger and a rescue Greyhound called Eve.
The main challenge in Dog Life Drawing compared to human life drawing is that the models are much more unpredictable.
“It’s a lot harder,” says Francisco, a first timer. “People sit still and you’re more familiar with the shape of a person. The shape of what you think of as a dog is totally different. They’re lying down or sitting down or just weird angles. It’s so difficult. And there’s fur as well.”
However, the challenge doesn’t seem to have deterred him as when I asked if he would come back he replied with a resolute “definitely.”
Drawing dogs instead of people can also have its advantages.
Sveta, a professional artist, specialising in wedding and event illustration enjoys the opportunity to hone her skill of live drawing and likes the novelty of the class.
“There’s a bit more freedom in terms of how expressive you can be,” she says. “Realistic or abstract. With people you have to be precise.”
Using dog models can also give way to greater creative experimentation.
As Alix says, “If a dog is fidgeting and moving, for that dog I’ll say, ‘change colour every time they move’ or change the material or start a quick sketch over the top. We just work with whatever the dogs are doing.”
